NAATAK opens its landmark 30^th season with a timeless tale written specially for this occasion – an adaptation of the novel The Confession of Sultana Daku (Penguin, 2009), recounting the daring exploits of Sultana Daku, his wild raids, imaginative escapes and rise to notoriety, and his dramatic capture by Freddy Young, the celebrated superintendent of police who, in 1924, finally put an end to Sultana’s reign of terror around Bareilly and Moradabad.

As the first in a long line of notorious dakus, Sultana Daku with his horse-riding gang has appeared in countless films, in Hollywood – The Long Duel (1967) starring Yul Brynner – and Bollywood – Sultana Daku (1973) starring Dara Singh – with his best-known avatar being Gabbar Singh in Sholay (1975).

With a new script that has never been performed before, the play will feature live music and dance, wit and humor, and energetic ‘svang’ performances that evoke 1920s India.

Sep 5 – 28, 2025, Cubberley Theater, Palo Alto, CA

Saturday, June 21^th, 2025

Naatak House, 3311 Keller St, Santa Clara CA 95054

Park on the street, not in the parking lot.

South-Asians:

8 MALES, ages 20-35 (dakus)

12 MALES, ages 36-70 (police officers, shopkeepers, political activists, svang players)

2 FEMALES, 35-60 (officials, political activists)

6 BOYS or GIRLS, ages 10-14 (to play the boy gang of dakus): fluency in Hindi is highly desirable

Caucasians:

5 MALES, ages 35-60 (British police officers, Salvation Army missionaries, King George V)

1 FEMALE, age 35-60 (Salvation Army missionary, Queen Mary)

1. RSVP by completing this rsvp form. Two days before the audition, you will receive a time slot between 9 AM and 11 AM.

2. Come with a 1-minute solo performance (Hindi for South-Asians, English for Caucasians).

4. If shortlisted, you will be called back at 12 noon. The audition will finish by 2 PM.

5. Questions? Email sujit@naatak.org.

July 9 – September 4

Most actors will be needed once a week in July and twice a week in August (typically: Wed evening, Sat morning, or Sun morning)

For BOYS and GIRLS, we will have a flexible and reduced rehearsal schedule to accommodate their summer activities.

You must be available during Labor Day (Sep 1) weekend.

Saturday, June 14^th, 2025

Naatak House, 3311 Keller St, Santa Clara CA 95054

Park on the street, not in the parking lot.

We are looking for 12 dancers, female or male, with grace, rhythm and energy, and the enthusiasm to rehearse hard for a slick, professional production. If you have classical training, please mention it, but most dances will be semi-classical or Bollywood-like. One or two may be kathak.

Some dancers will both act and dance in the play, for which you some fluency in Hindi is required. If you can speak Hindi, please indicate that on the RSVP form.

 

Rehearsals

 

Audition Details